The Numbers Trap

Numbers are
very important to every aspect of our lives. Everything in life is measured by
numbers. Your address has numbers so you can receive your mail delivery and,
find you in case of emergency. Numbers help us keep track of all sorts of things
like ball game scores, bank accounts, test scores, shoe size, shoe price, groceries,
height and weight; everything has a number attached to it. We check prices on
vehicles and make sure they are competitively priced. We do the same with
groceries, clothes, shoes, and electronics. Almost everything is attached to a
number. We compare test scores to see where little Johnny or Jackie measure up,
and where they have room for improvement so we can focus on that area and help
them to succeed.

Our BBS
process is no different; we collect data from good quality observations to see
where we have problem behaviors, such as not wearing ear protection. Then we look
at the reasons for the behavior. Are the ear plugs we supply uncomfortable? Are
they not readily available? Is it a lack of training or is it just not “cool”
to wear them. When we figure out the problem, we concentrate our efforts and recourses
to solving the problem. Through proper training, expressing the importance of
hearing conservation, making them more accessible or purchasing another type,
we work toward solving the problem. If we identify something in need of repair
or replacement, we move the resources to solve that problem also.

If we get
improper data, by chasing high numbers, we skew the very data that protects us!
We may be looking at something else that is really not a problem at all, and
not seeing the real problems.

Our whole world is competitive; we all strive to be the best, but high numbers
may not always be the key to success. You may have the best time on the cross
country course, but if you cut a corner along the way, you lose. All your hard
efforts and preparation are wasted. I would rather only finish or place in the
race and know it was a genuine effort, than to win knowing I had to cheat to do
it. If you win the NASCAR race but are disqualified for suspension violations,
all your money, time and efforts are wasted. Not to mention you have let your
crew and fans down, and if you lose them, your sponsors will follow.

It is the
same if we get caught in the numbers trap. We feel the competitive urge to pump
out observations and begin to lose the quality of them. The conversations that
take place are replaced by just writing them up or entering them on the
computer without any real interaction. Or, worse yet, we “pencil whip” them to
meet expectations.

Then we are
left to chase false data, exposing ourselves and others to unidentified risks. We
have met expectations, satisfied the drive for numbers, but then we have
accidents and injuries. We lose our fans (good observers) and sponsors
(employee ownership through management support) because they think the process
does not work. If we are encouraging high numbers we are missing the concept
and benefit that comes with a good observation.

If we as employees and owners of the observation process don’t
participate, we are committing the same crime. Let’s don’t get caught in the numbers trap. Instead
we should focus on the one on one observation with personal conversation that has
served us so well in the past. We should all participate by doing observations.
Please look out for your fellow coworkers and yourself, and do a quality
observation today!